the end of a year!

i can hardly believe that i have actually been blogging for a year. jennifer sent me an email a couple days ago to help inspire me to work on publishing my first year. it scares me even to think about it! i know i want to do it, i just hope i can, and without too much frustration. (i'm not having much faith on being able to do it without frustration!) maybe summer will be a good time for such a project. who am i kidding? maybe i just need to change my personality so i can let "things" go, therefore freeing up time for such a project :). "things" are really of little importance in the big picture anyway. i just can't seem to start on a project until certain levels of order occur in my life.

i've had a little re-awakening this past week about some of my "weaknesses". issues in my personality that need changing permanently. is it just a matter of wanting to change bad enough? i've never been successful about not slipping back into old habits and patterns, even if I don't like myself when I do. this is something worth all of my attention to figure out! surely the Lord will help me.

anyway, here is to personal growth in the next year! i'll keep you posted on the progress of making my book!

can you say WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS?

all i can say is...IT IS FUN WHEN YOUR TEAM WINS!!! i am very happy for my boys; the lakers. i'm even more happy for my boy; kobe. but i'm happiest of all for my man; JON! he is an original, purple and gold, tried and true, FAN! we look forward to june 5th...

memorial day tradition...

It has been a fun tradition, since we moved in this house, to have a memorial day swimming and bar-b-que party! This year, due to the turn in our weather (from WAY too hot, to WAY too cold), the pool was a little on the freezing side. I was impressed with Paige's endurance as a just turned three year old. I think she was an ice cube when Melanie finally convinced her to take a turn in the jacuzzi. Ellie and Brynley were also impressive. Every time someone would jump in, they would come up with that "oh my gosh...take my breath away...this is C.O.L.D." face. The food, as always, and the company, were the highlights for me. It was great to have mom and dad still in town this year so they could join us. (no one makes potato salad quite like carma!) Jon has perfected the hamburgers and hot dogs. I think these cousins and friends will have happy rememberings when they think of memorial days at the Bunk's, growing up!

Nelson Family Reunion, 2008

Saturday, Jon, Tod, Sadie, Rhonda, Larry and I traveled to Alamo to participate in a Nelson family reunion. My mother's maiden name is Nelson (her parents are Leland and Gertrude Nelson), and our reunions in the past have been pretty hit and miss. The last time I remember going to one was when Kristen was 15 1/2 (I'm thinking 1998). She had her learner's permit and Jon decided to give her some experience driving on a two lane highway. Unfortunately, we witnessed a fatal accident on that highway that day, and by the time we arrived, the party was just getting over! Hence, not one of my children is familiar with any of my mother's brother's or sister or their families. I think it is very difficult to be the youngest in the family. Don't get me wrong, there were also many perks about being the youngest (stories for another day:), but by the time I started having a family, everyone's families were so big, that we had stopped doing the extended family stuff much.

It was great for me to see everyone! I have fond memories of all of my cousins, and spending time in Alamo in the summer, but I don't think I've really ever seen them married or with their children. We even watched one of my cousin's son's riding a bull in the rodeo in Star Valley last summer, and we were screaming and yelling for him, and when his ride was over, my kids looked at me and said, "We have a cousin that rides bulls?" Clearly, we haven't stayed in very close touch. My mother is always good to keep me informed of what's going on, and we get invitations to weddings and such, but we have totally missed out on the day to day, year to year, happenings!

The saddest part of the reunion though, was that my mother and father weren't able to come! I know my mother was so totally excited about it, and the night before my dad got sick. Being the ultimate in the "perfect, caring wife" department, she wouldn't leave him with anyone else for the day. (I know Jon was hoping for a "Carma" when he married me. So far, I haven't lived up to her wonderfulness! I still think there is hope, maybe only a glimmer, but still some hope.) Anyway, I was very sad for them to miss out on the fun.

After lunch and visiting were done, we went to the cemetery to put some flowers on some graves. THAT was cool. It has been a long time since I was there. It always gives me a feeling of connection to those who came before me as I remember who they were and how I fit. I am very blessed. A shout out to all of those who made it from the Alden and Carma Stewart family. Brent's whole family was there. Every single one of them! Craig and Patt had a very good showing as well. Dave and Jane made the drive from Provo. All in all, I thought the red shirt family was pretty well represented!

FAMILY

NEVER GIVE UP

Since the Worldwide Broadcast in February, it seems like the focus of our ward and stake, in conferences, has been on spending more meaningful time with our families. Making family scripture study, family prayer, family dinner and family home evening traditions in our families. We have been trying!

We only attempted family scripture study one other time, when we lived in our Pesaro home. After its grand success, I suppose, and then having Kristen head off to seminary before the world should be awake, we abandoned the idea. I feel bad. I don't think Sadie ever got to participate in family scripture study. Thankfully Jon has always been good about having family home evening, and we have studied the scriptures together during that time on many occasions. But as I finally finished reading what was talked about at the broadcast, (only three months late!), I was committed once again to do and be better! Here are a few of the words that gave me hope:

"I don't think it takes a lot of extra activity or time to follow the Lord's plan. It can be done in simple ways. I think one of the most important concepts for parents to grasp about a home is to create a climate. Often we say it's tasks or we measure things by achievements or things or lists. But we can think of a climate where something can grow. The word nurture means to help something grow. Something can't grow where it's too dry or too cold or the ground is too hard. The job of parents in rearing children is to keep that climate where things can grow with the Spirit, where there's faith and hope and charity."
Julie Beck, General Relief Society President

I need to work on my climate!

"I also think that the help and the power for a sealed eternal family comes from the temple...parents in the temple are given that power to receive answers, to receive revelation to resolve what they need to resolve."
Julie Beck

I need to spend more time in the temple. With summer coming up, I always think there will be more time, but last summer proved me wrong! So like anything else that is good in life, I know I have to plan my temple time, mark it on my calendar each week, and then let nothing interfere with it. I'm going to be a better temple attender this summer than I was last summer!

I know there is nothing in this world more important than our families. I'm am going to try harder, to not let other "things" get in the way of these essential ones. I hope that "writing it down" will help me in making that happen!

SADIE'S NEW HOME



Sadie and I spent Wednesday and Thursday working our tails off! (we missed Kristen!, she helped us move in) Luckily Sadie had almost everything already packed, it was physically getting it out of her Salt Lake apartment and into our cars. As we left the hotel Wednesday morning to head to her apartment the rain was pouring. I was thinking, "How are we going to get her stuff into the cars without everything getting soaked?" When we arrived at her apartment, it stopped raining (tender mercy!) I told her I was going to start making trips out with her hanging clothes while we had a window of opportunity. We immediately started climbing the stairs, many, many trips up and down from the third floor, with everything that was ready. Things went pretty smoothly. Then came the bigger and heavier stuff! The desk and the big, old TV were the worst. Luckily we were laughing hysterically at ourselves instead of crying. Bruised and missing a few fingernails, sore from head to toe, and exhausted we left her new apartment about 1:30 Thursday morning. As I was walking to my car I noticed the ever dreaded "boot" on my tire. Only in Provo!!! It was raining and I couldn't believe we were going to have to wait to get someone over to get this thing off my car before we could go to Brenda's and crawl into bed. Luckily, (another tender mercy), the guy who put the boot on my car was still looking for other offenders in the parking lot. We were just 10 minutes too late in leaving that night. Anyway, we were able to get her all unpacked and settled before we left. I think she will enjoy her new home for the next couple of months!

FINGERNAIL DISASTER!



LOOK AT MY POOR FINGERNAILS!!!! I seriously can't remember in the last 13 years when my nails have looked like this. I missed my last two nail appointments and last night decided to cut them completely off. NUBBIN'S! I am enjoying typing right now, but I can't believe all the things I use fingernails to do! Oh my gosh, they better grow fast. Besides that, I look like I have little boy hands. I am ashamed to see Kim, my manicurist on Tuesday :).

blog silence

I stole this cartoon from Kathy (i thought it was pretty funny), and as shocking as it may sound, I have had nothing to say these last few days! Reading last night though, got me to thinking, but today I don't have time to write my thoughts. I'm headed to SLC to help Sadie move to Provo :). I'll have to write later I guess. Here's to a good drive north and NO tickets!

YOU ROCKED JUMP!!!

Megan and Hailey's Friday and Saturday were spent in Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace taking dance classes and competing against 21 other dance studios from Utah, Montana and Idaho. There were a few studios that were very good with interesting choreography; 1-Center Stage from Orem, Utah 2-The Dance Club from Orem, Utah 3- The Vibe from Lindon, Utah and 4-Revolution Dance Company from Midvale, Utah, to name a few! (Sadie even told me she was going to find Center Stage and see if they would let her take some classes :)! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!!) These studios are totally in ALLRED country!

The girls danced really well and the two big winners at this competition were "Plank In Reason Broke" (big hair, cool dresses, and teacups) and "Pressed Up Against" (the wall). I took some video footage (not very good footage) but some for your viewing pleasure none the less!




The best SURPRISE of the weekend was to see Aunt Mary Marsh walking in on Friday! She had just missed Megan's duet (bummer!), but promised she would be back Saturday. Unbelievably, she came again! It's not like the Salt Palace is right around the corner from her home, so a big shout out to Aunt Mary...THANKS for coming!!!

This first video is a little of Hailey in her tap number "SLY". She is in the middle, behind and in between the two bigger and taller girls in the front, splitting middle. Hope you can find her!

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The second is Megan in "Pressed Up Against", her modern piece. It is definitely contemporary, but I am LOVING it the more I get to see it! Meg is the person with her legs on the wall, in the middle (or right) in the beginning. Towards the end, she is one of the two who jumps up and holds on the wall, in the middle (or left). ENJOY! I am not the one screaming this time...I control myself when I am holding a camera :)!



The third is Megan in "Plank In Reason Broke". The color completely fades (I don't know why) but I put the whole thing on anyway. Megan starts on the left in the front. They have teacups and saucers that they keep putting down and picking up. I LOVE this dance!

Happy Mother's Day

"happy day" to every wonderful mother who reads this!

we have been in salt lake city this weekend attending JUMP (a dance competition)! it has been fun, the girls did GREAT! (more to come later)

i put jon, megan, and hailey on the plane this morning, and i stayed in slc/provo, to do some apartment hunting with sadie. so mother's day for me this year, is a little different! sadie and i went to a student ward today for church (no mothers there :). we went to temple square (i wanted to take some pictures...poor sadie, she had to pose, because it's mother's day :), and we have hung out in the hotel room (reading, relaxing, laughing). i have really enjoyed my special day!

TODAY is a day to celebrate mother's. celebrate their love, celebrate their hard work, celebrate their fun personalities, celebrate their unselfishness, celebrate their teachings, celebrate the gift of life, that only mothers can give! it's hard to live up to the image of the perfect mother, but i believe we all try. some mother's days i feel like i'm not even close to living up to my title of "mother", but today i feel good. their were great speakers today in sacrament meeting. two sons and a daughter. they spoke about a few gospel principles that their mother's had tried to teach them. they were sweet!

sometimes i feel like i just need to apologize to my children for all the stupid things i have done. i just pray when all is said and done, that they will have positive feelings and loving memories of me! they are all wonderful people! i hope they KNOW that i can see the very best in them. being a mother is all that i have ever wanted to be. you would think i could keep the bigger picture in mind and do a better job of it. thank goodness for repentance and forgiveness, and waking up tomorrow and trying again! maybe i can finally get it right before hailey leaves our home, but probably not :(. oh well, i believe i am at least living and learning!

here are my favorite people in the whole world. MY FAMILY!!!































































































to my own mother...you are the very best!!! i love you, love you, love you! thank you!
i love being a forever family!

YM/YW joint activities

I have been wanting to share these fun activities for a long time now. Here goes:

In January we had an activity called "Where's Waldo?" Our Bishopric and Relief Society Presidency dressed up in disguise, and we all went to the Fashion Show Mall to "find" them. We were in groups of five or six, and we hustled around the mall trying to find our fearless leaders. When we found them, they gave us a little "sheep card", and the first group to find all six were the winners. We couldn't go in any stores, and we had a time limit, and at the set time we all went back to the church. The Bishop then talked to us about "searching" or really trying to "find" the lost sheep from our perspective classes and quorums. It really turned out to be a fun, easy, and meaningful night.

Following are the pictures of our "Waldo's". A couple of them were really hard to find. The kids were good at it though.









































































In April we had a "scripture skit" night. The priests were in charge and it was perfect! No costumes, no over planning - just strips of paper with the scripture story they were to portray, and a time limit. (you know if the women were in charge it would have gotten more complicated, but this was perfect!)

Anyway, the instructions were;
1) divide into groups of six or so, mixing boys and girls,
2) relate the scripture to something present day, and act out the modern scenario (not the scripture story itself)
3) it couldn't be longer than 3 minutes
4) the audience would guess which story it was at the end!

In the beginning we thought they would need or want our help to come up with something. NO WAY, they were VERY CAPABLE!
Two of my favorites were:

The Title of Liberty - One of the boys tore off his Steve Nash jersey and put it on the end of a broomstick that was laying around the stage, and climbing the stairs, and holding it up high said, "This is in honor of my fans. For my 2 pointers, and my 3 pointers, and for my team." And then the rest of the group rallied around him and said, "Now lets go beat the Spurs! ON! ON! TO VICTORY!!"

The Brother of Jared - 4 girls standing in a row with their heads down. Another girl pretends to call an electrician. The electrician arrives and asks what he can do to help her. She says she can't get her lights to come on. The electrician tells her, "Oh I can fix that. They just need a bonk on the head." As he bonks the girls on the head (one by one), they open their cell phones (one by one), chest high, and look up as the light comes on (one by one). Pretty clever!!!

Both of these activities were easy and fun. The kids had a great time, and could shine all by themselves with the help of one another! Try it, you'll like it!

withdrawals!

It was one week ago today, that I picked a very tan Mike and Kristen up at the airport, and then dropped Lauren and the "brown ones" off at their home. I have slowly been going through withdrawals ever since. I am pretty sure I am a better version of myself when L is around. I'm a little happier, definitely more patient, I smile a lot more, I sing, I sit on the floor...I'm not quite sure what that says about me! I think I should be that person even if she isn't around, but so far, I don't deliver :)!

I just wanted to document some of the things I am missing:

1- curious george on dvd.
2- putting the flower clip in her hair at least 500 times during the day.
3- hearing her say, "Oh Toodles!"
4- singing songs and rocking in the chair before nap and bedtime.
5- hearing her call, "gwa-ma!"
6- having her want to share everything with me; her food, her lotion on my cheeks, her lucky charms.
7- making mac 'n cheese, cutting up fruit.
8- seeing her face first thing in the morning...wild hair woman!
9- hearing her cutest voice say the funniest things.
10-seeing her smile, sneaking kisses, and getting a tight squeeze around the neck.

Tomorrow I'm going to steal her in the morning and get a quick fix! I am so lucky that they live close by!!!

good news minute

what would i shout out in r. s. today?

1- yesterday was clean the outside day! we (mostly jon), sprayed out the garage and we got the stuff to d. i. that needed to go. the back yard was a major clean; tables, chairs, walls, windows, lounge chairs, pillars, you name it-we cleaned it. now we are ready for summer bar-b-ques and such. thanks to mike and sadie for their helping hands, and megan for lunch! it's always dangerous to get a hose in jon's hands, no one is safe. lauren got it (she wasn't too happy about it!), megan and sadie, kristen (claiming her "delicate condition") was safe this time. i was with mike when he said, "what? pregnant women can get wet!" anyway, when the job is done, it is always a great feeling!

2- tod and sadie are both in between semesters. i am very proud of BOTH of them for the GREAT grades they are getting!! sadie starts again tuesday, tod not for another week. megan and hailey only have 22 more days of school. can you believe it? they also got GREAT grades for the nine weeks, i will report at the end of year semester :)!

oh happy day!

Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Bunker

Trevor Bunker and Whitney Parker were married Thursday, May 1, in the Salt Lake City temple. What a beautiful sealing and what a BEAUTIFUL couple!!! I love to attend sealings because every time I do, I learn something new and important, and it feels like I get some new juice for my own love, and I am filled with sweet feelings all over :)!

It was fun to see a lot of the Bunker side of our family. What a bunch of lovely, fun, happy people. I must admit, I was a little shocked to get out of the car at the temple and have snow falling! Yes, real snow, in Salt Lake, on May 1st! I kept thinking, "I doubt Whitney was thinking snow when she chose May 1st as her date." The trees had beautiful buds and the tulips were everywhere, and once in a while the sun would peek through and we would think, "OK, it's going to get better." But by picture time, the wind was blowing, the sun was gone, and personally, my fingers were frost bitten. Thank goodness Sadie brought me a coat! Anyway, it was a very fun day, a yummy lunch, and getting to see the family was my favorite part.

CONGRATULATIONS TREVOR & WHITNEY! WE LOVE YOU!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures.